Moldova faces Russian hybrid attacks ahead of critical elections

Russia is set to launch a military offensive in Ukraine, but that's not Vladimir Putin's only aim in the near future. According to Bloomberg, the Kremlin aims to target another country on the verge of presidential elections. This time, it's Moldova, which has been under Russian scrutiny for a long time.

Moldova has been identified as Russia's next target for several months, and recent reports only seem to reinforce this notion.

As per Bloomberg, Russia plans to carry out a series of hybrid attacks on Moldova before the presidential elections and as the referendum on joining the European Union approaches.

These crucial votes are slated for October this year, presenting Moscow with an opportunity to destabilize the nation.

According to Bloomberg, the anticipated hybrid assault on Moldova will be discussed between the British Minister for Europe, Nusrat Ghani, and the Moldovan Foreign Minister, Mihai Popsoi.

The talks will revolve around Russia's subversive efforts aimed at destabilizing Moldova. The United Kingdom plans to share intelligence about the threat with Chisinau.

Russia's strong influence in Moldova is well-documented, largely due to the nation's history as part of the Soviet Union. Following the Soviet Union's dissolution, Moldova experienced conflict, resulting in the de facto independence of the region known as Transnistria in 1990.

Russian military units are stationed there today, and the local population predominantly speaks Russian. Some residents openly express a desire to rejoin Russia.

Notably, at the end of February, lawmakers from the separatist region of Transnistria sought Russia's support amidst "economic pressure" from Chisinau on Tiraspol. However, the conflict has not escalated further.

This situation bears a striking resemblance to the events of 2014, when Russians, with the aid of "little green men," seized control of the Ukrainian region of Donbas.